I was recently asked the question "Should I purchase the extended or additional warranty?" I get this question frequently so I put my comments and advice into one of my blog comments at the OLDHACKERS blog - and you can read it by clickingHERE.

As the answer really depends a great deal on what the piece of technology is, and how you plan to use it, there is no firm one size fits all answer. Read the blog for a quick and hopefully informative group of suggestions.

Ok - so it is not very technical - but as some of you have asked why there were no updates or new features here in the last few weeks - and others are probably curious also, I will let you know that our only son took his own life and it has put much of my usual every day routine out of the usual routine for some weeks. Have no fear, I am back and will be trying my best to find and share fun things to you all. Please keep in mind however that this effort is not a one way street - and I do welcome guest writer submissions and suggestions for articles or features from you all. So if you have an itch to write a bit, or a question which you want answered - toss them this way. Of course it helps if you register and sign in first here. Also while we are rattling that cage, be aware that we never share or sell your email address so please have no worries about signing in here and joining the group.

PCFIXES.NET which was more well known as PCFIXES.COM for well over 20 years, has added another article about replacing parts on older or retro PC motherboards.

This one is about the larger RTC modules (Real Time Clock) - used in some boards. These devices combined a built-in battery, clock circuit and some memory to hold the system settings - and if they lose the battery, they are difficult to repair without replacing and sometimes difficult to find parts for.

Unlike the CMOS battery which usually had only 2 pins to unsolder, the RTC modules had typically 24 or 28 pins to unsolder - a bit more of a task for hobbyists. Check this picture filled step by step how to for more information. Also coming soon we will have a link in this article about purchase of RTC modules if you need them. Please comment or email us for further information.

By the way PCfixes.net is still very much alive and undergoing a very slow but promising rebuild to make it better - the owner has retired recently and says he will have more time to work on the sites he takes care of.